Energy Availability Research Articles

EU Energy Crisis and the European Energy Market

The article analyses the state of the EU energy market during the energy crisis of 2020-2023 and its development taking into account the climate agenda and the European Union’s self-restrictions on the import of primary fossil energy resources. The article examines the role of the climate agenda in the adoption of measures distorting the energy sector and provoking a full-scale energy crisis. It revealed itself in decrease of the reliability of energy supply, which became hostage of weather conditions due to increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy sector. The author scrutinises the main fuel segments of this market, assesses their volatility, and gives a forecast of its development for the period up to 2030-2045; analyses the EU's actions in the context of a shortage of fuel resources, their negative consequences for energy-intensive industries. Trends in rising prices for all types of energy resources, leading to the general deindustrialisation of Europe, provoked by the European energy crisis and the decision of the EU, which abandoned the main supplier of energy resources - Russia, are explored. It is stated that this decision was not provided with alternatives comparable in scope and conditions. Possibilities and prospects for the export of Russian energy resources to EU countries in the context of sanctions are predicted, including the possibility that the goal set by the European Union to abandon Russian fossil fuels by 2027 will not be achieved. It is concluded that the European Union is turning into a region of energy poverty, in which, instead of the declared sustainable energy, European consumers face unstable energy supplies, possibilities of blackouts and significantly increased electricity bills.

Sex Differences and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Outcomes in Runners with Achilles or Hamstring Tendinopathy

Background/Objectives: Achilles and hamstring tendinopathies are common injuries in runners, and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) may be an effective treatment. Runners are at risk for lower extremity tendinopathies and the Male and Female Athlete Triad (Triad). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association of sex, exposure to hormonal contraceptives, menopause, and Triad-related risk factors with ESWT outcomes in the treatment of Achilles and hamstring tendinopathy. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of runners with either Achilles or hamstring tendinopathy who received radial or combined radial and focused ESWT. Tendon function was measured using Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment (VISA) questionnaires completed before and following treatment. Treatment success was defined by a change in VISA score that met the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Results: There were 88 runners (54.5% female, 45.5% male) with Achilles (52.3%) or hamstring (47.7%) tendinopathy. No measurable difference was found in the proportion of females and males overall that achieved the MCID (57.1% and 72.5%, p = 0.17). Similar rates of females and males met MCID for Achilles (77.8% and 75.0%, p = 0.83) and hamstring tendinopathy (46.7% and 66.7%, p = 0.24). However, females with Achilles or hamstring tendinopathy who used oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were less likely to meet the MCID compared to females not on OCPs (p = 0.031); this finding was present in a subgroup analysis of runners with only Achilles tendinopathy (p = 0.025). No associations were found between achieving the MCID and Triad risk factors, including body mass index, energy availability, weight-related behaviors, bone health, or menstrual function (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Female and male runners reported similar success rates for ESWT, and Triad risk factors were not found to impact outcomes. However, females who used oral contraceptive pills were less likely to achieve the MCID from ESWT.

Energy development and industrialization: evidence from Africa

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of energy development on industrialization in African economies from 1990 to 2017. It aims to assess how access to electricity, energy use and overall energy development contribute to industrial growth. By using panel data analysis and advanced econometric techniques such as fixed effects, two-stage least squares (2SLS) and system-GMM estimation, this study seeks to provide empirical evidence and insights into the complex dynamics between energy policies and industrialization outcomes. The findings are intended to inform policymakers and stakeholders on effective strategies to promote sustainable industrial development in the region. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative approach using panel data analysis spanning 1990–2017 from various sources. It uses fixed effects, 2SLS and system-GMM estimation methods to investigate the nuanced relationship between energy development and industrialization in African economies. This comprehensive methodology facilitates a robust examination of how different dimensions of energy development influence industrialization outcomes, aiming to fill gaps in existing literature and provide insights for policy formulation and implementation. Findings The findings reveal that energy development significantly enhances industrialization in African economies. Access to electricity and energy use both positively impact industrial growth, with access to electricity showing a stronger influence. This study underscores the critical role of energy infrastructure in fostering industrial expansion and economic development. Moreover, robust econometric methods confirm these relationships across various specifications, highlighting the importance of tailored energy policies to sustain industrialization efforts in Africa. These findings contribute empirical insights to the literature and provide actionable recommendations for policymakers aiming to enhance energy access and promote sustainable industrial development in the region. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by offering new insights into the relationship between energy development and industrialization in African economies. By using advanced econometric techniques and focusing on nuanced dimensions of energy access and use, it addresses gaps in previous research. The findings underscore the significance of energy infrastructure for industrial growth, highlighting policy implications for sustainable development in Africa. This research adds value by providing empirical evidence that informs strategies to enhance energy efficiency, expand access to electricity and promote industrialization, thus contributing to broader discussions on economic development and energy policy in the region.

Institutional entrepreneuring for energy poverty: The role of boundary work in developing a collaborative product-service system for household appliances

This study explores a remarkable initiative named “Papillon” that aims to contribute to alleviating energy poverty by organizing affordable and context-sensitive access to energy-efficient appliances. The initiative involves a collaboration across societal sectors (civil society, business, government) and has used the idea of a product-service system to develop an appliance rental system for energy-poor households. As these kinds of “cross-sectoral” collaborations hold promise for contributing to complex societal issues but are notoriously hard to develop, we set out to trace the entrepreneurial process that brought the collaboration into being. To do so, this paper builds on and elaborates insights from institutional theory on organizations. More specifically we start off from Hjorth & Reay's (2022) recent account of institutional entrepreneuring and further develops it in relation to the empirical case of Papillon. In doing so, we arrive at a theoretical-analytic framework that focusses on entrepreneurs' configurational boundary work in the context of diverging institutional logics. In the analysis we show how four modes of boundary work – probing, arranging, buffering, coalescing – play a decisive role in bringing about a collaborative rental system for appliances that is attuned to the lifeworld of households in energy poverty. Our paper aims to contribute by (1) presenting and analysing a cross-sectoral approach to provide energy-poor households with access to essential appliances (2) developing a framework that brings novel insights into the formation of cross-sectoral initiatives that aim to create social value.

Achieving energy resilience: The joint role of environmental policy stringency and environmental awareness

This paper examines the critical interplay between environmental policy stringency, public environmental awareness, and energy resilience, leveraging a dataset for 32 OECD countries between 2004 and 2020. Further, it explores the channels through which these variables influence energy resilience. Principal component analysis (pca) is adopted to derive the multi-dimensional index of energy resilience based on three pillars, renewable energy, energy access, and energy efficiency. The findings underscore a significant positive relationship between stringent environmental policies, environmental awareness, and energy resilience. Additionally, environmental awareness and environmental policy stringency are shown to exert a positive effect on renewable energy and enhance energy access. Environmental policy stringency is found to have a significant negative impact on energy intensity, i.e. a positive impact on energy efficiency. The results demonstrate that by increasing public environmental awareness and implementing more stringent environmental policies policymakers can improve energy resilience, energy efficiency, and the share of renewable energy. The latter are considered essential elements for the environmental transition emerging as a prominent solution when addressing climate change challenges.

Determinants of plant species richness along elevational gradients: insights with climate, energy and water–energy dynamics

BackgroundUnderstanding the patterns and processes of species distributions has long remained a central focus of biogeographical and ecological research. While the evidence for elevational patterns in species richness is widespread, our understanding of underlying causes and mechanisms remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to entangle the influence of environmental variables on plant species richness along elevational gradients in the Western Himalayas.MethodsWe compiled elevational distribution for about 1150 vascular plants using the published literature and available database. The species richness was estimated in 100-m elevational bands using the range interpolation method. We used the generalised linear model and structural equation modelling (SEM) framework to identify the direct and indirect effects of climatic factors on species richness.ResultsOur results indicated that primary environmental correlates of species richness varied with elevational gradients. Climatic variables combined with energy and water availability were more important than the topographic heterogeneity. Further, the direct and interaction effects of climatic variables were more substantial than their indirect effects. The indirect effects of climate are more strongly mediated by water–energy dynamics than the energy alone.ConclusionsOverall, our findings emphasise the importance of considering direct effects and interactions among environmental variables while studying the underlying mechanisms governing elevational biodiversity gradients. Species richness appeared to be shaped by climatic tolerances rather than habitat heterogeneity at regional scales. This information can have implications for biodiversity dynamics under environmental change.

Skeletal Muscle mRNA Splicing Variants Association With Four Different Fitness and Energetic Measures in the GESTALT Study

ABSTRACTBackgroundPhysical activity is essential for maintaining muscle mitochondrial function and aerobic capacity. The molecular mechanisms underlying such protective effects are incompletely understood, in part because it is difficult to separate the effects of disease status and physical activity. We explored the association of human skeletal muscle transcriptomic with four measures of energetics and mitochondria oxidative capacity in healthy individuals.MethodsUsing RNA sequencing of vastus lateralis muscle biopsies from 82 GESTALT participants (52 males, aged 22–89 years), we explored gene and splicing variant expression profiles associated with self‐reported physical activity, peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), muscle oxidative capacity (kPCr) and mitochondrial respiration (Mit‐O2 flux). The effect of aging on gene expression was examined in participants with low and high VO2 peak.ResultsThe four measures of energetics were negative correlated with age and generally intercorrelated. We identified protein‐coding genes associated with four energetic measures adjusting for age, muscle fiber‐ratio, sex and batch effect. Mitochondrial pathways were overrepresented across all energetic variables, albeit with little overlap at the gene level. Alternative spliced transcript isoforms associated with energetics were primarily enriched for cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules. The splicing pathway was up‐regulated with aging in low but not in high fitness participants, and transcript isoforms detected in the low fitness group pertain to processes such as cell cycle regulation, RNA/protein localization, nuclear transport and catabolism.ConclusionsA consistent mitochondrial signature emerged across all energetic measures. Alternative splicing was enhanced in older, low fitness participants supporting the energy‐splicing axis hypothesis. The identified splicing variants were enriched in pathways involving the accumulation of ribonucleoproteins in cytoplasmic granules, whose function remains unclear. Further research is needed to understand the function of these proteoforms in promoting adaptation to low energy availability.

Climate Crisis on Energy Bills: Who Bears the Greater Burden of Extreme Weather Events?

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events driven by global climate change poses a critical threat to energy system vulnerability and household energy security. Using meteorological data from NOAA and Chinese weather stations (2012-2022), this study examines the impact of extreme climate risks on household energy poverty. Our findings reveal two significant transmission channels: infrastructure disruption and price fluctuation. Extreme weather events compromise energy infrastructure stability and cause supply interruptions, while temperature extremes trigger energy price volatility and increase household expenditure burdens. We further find that regions with weak infrastructure, areas prone to natural disasters, and low-income households are particularly vulnerable to these impacts. These findings suggest that climate change may exacerbate social inequality through energy poverty channels.

The barriers and facilitators of improving energy availability amongst females clinically diagnosed with Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) is a serious clinical condition. However, there is little research in athletes with a clinical diagnosis and limited evidence on the recovery of REDs. This is a cross-sectional retrospective study whereby 55 (25.62±6.33 years) female patients with a prior diagnosis of REDs by an experienced medical specialist participated in an online questionnaire designed to capture their experience of a sports dietitian consultation and subsequent implementation of a personalized energy availability (EA) plan. A 31% increase (N.=4 vs. N.=16, P=0.002) in normal menstruation, a 22% reduction (N.=39 vs. N.=27, P=0.032) in gastrointestinal symptoms, and a 94% reduction (N.=16 to N.=1) in a very poor/poor appetite were reported following the consultation and plan implementation. Required energy intake (EI) was under-estimated by 93% of participants. Intake pre-exercise was implemented most frequently (69%, N.=38), and least likely to elicit feelings of stress and anxiety (69%, N.=38). Weight gain/shape change was the most frequently reported barrier to implementation (62%, N.=34). Eating to a planned regime (35%, N.=19) and following a timing of intake (33%, N.=18) gave the most confidence. Providing an athlete with an education of their current and required EA, alongside an illustrated personalized EI plan structured around exercise, may provide the "lightbulb" moment needed to overcome the associated anxiety when increasing their EI when recovering from REDs.

Transitioning to sustainable energy: Multidimensional factors guiding solar power technology adoption

As solar power technologies (SPTs) can potentially boost the transition to clean energy, investigating multidimensional factors (MDFs) influencing the acceptance of SPTs may support Sustainable Development Goals like global energy access. This study examines the role of MDFs in determining households’ intention to embrace SPTs within an integrated ecological perception framework, which focuses on the ecological advantages of SPTs, openness to innovation, and advantages to the built environment. We used the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling to analyze the Likert-scale data gathered from 311 respondents to reveal that the fixed cost of SPTs discourages households from embracing them. The advantages to the built environment, openness to innovation, and ecological advantages encourage households to accept SPTs, but only in urban districts and the entire dataset while portraying a neutral role in rural districts. Thus, urban and rural districts differ in impacting households’ adoption of SPTs. The social disposition of SPTs is the key driving force, while the advantages to the built environment play a less critical role. This study suggests propagating awareness among rural households about ecologically friendly dimensions of SPTs to uplift rural energy access, cultivating universal access to affordable and clean energy (SDG-7) and combating climatic disruptions (SDG-13).

Can green trade development promote energy security in China? The role of financial development

Energy security is an essential component of overall national security. This paper investigates the impact of green trade (GRTR) on China's energy security and financial development's role in this nexus. The energy security evaluation index in this study is constructed from availability, applicability, acceptability, and affordability (the 4-As) and calculated by employing the Improved Entropy Method (IEM). Based on the two-step robust system-generalized method of moments (SYS-GMM) and data from China's 30 provinces between 2004-2020, this article investigates the impact of GRTR on energy security, the moderating effect of financial development and the impact mechanism of renewable energy development on the GRTR-energy security nexus. Our econometric analysis results indicate that increased GRTR can notably enhance energy security, and financial development can strengthen the positive impact of GRTR on energy security. The advancement of GRTR contributes positively to enhanced energy availability, acceptability, and affordability, but it could potentially decrease progress in the applicability of energy security; the promoting effect of GRTR on energy security in low-GRTR areas will be limited. The results of the mediating mechanism indicate that GRTR can accelerate energy security growth through renewable energy development. These insights provide policy implications for combining GRTR incentives to promote energy security.

The associations between calorie tracking, body image dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and menstrual cycle characteristics in resistance-trained athletes.

While body image dissatisfaction (BID) and eating disorders (EDs) are relatively common in athletes (ranging from 11% to 67% of athletes, depending on the sport) [1], they are also prevalent in weight-class restricted sports (a common format in strength sports), and among physique athletes [2]. These athletes manipulate their nutrition to reach aesthetic or body weight standards and, in that process, may undergo prolonged periods of low energy availability. Low energy availability, defined as consuming insufficient energy for one's lean mass and exercise activity, can lead to Relative Energy Deficiency in sport (REDs), a syndrome that can impact menstrual cycle (MC) symptoms (and many other aspects of physiology and psychology) [3]. There has not been an investigation into the relationships between these resistance-trained (RT) athletes' nutritional habits, MC-related symptoms, BIDs, and EDs. A survey was implemented to explore the dieting habits, MC characteristics, BID, and EDs in RT females. 64.6% (n = 469) of participants reported tracking calories, with a slightly higher percentage of competitive athletes tracking calories 71.8% (n = 181) than recreational-level athletes. Competitive athletes were significantly more likely to track calories than recreational-level athletes (p = 0.003). When asked what the primary purpose of calorie restriction was, most participants selected weight loss for aesthetic purposes 58.8% (n = 356). Competitive athletes were less likely to select weight loss for aesthetic purposes 35.7% (n = 77), but weight loss for the purpose of a weight class-based sport was higher at 43.5% (n = 94). There were no significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or most MC symptoms and limited associations between EDs and MC characteristics and symptoms. RT athletes exhibited a higher prevalence of calorie tracking than the general population. Competitive RT athletes were less likely to calorie restrict for aesthetic purposes than non-athletes, but more likely to calorie restrict for the purpose of weight-class-based sports. There were limited significant associations between BID and MC characteristics or MC symptoms, as well as between EDs and MC characteristics. However, there was a significant association between amenorrhea and EDs, which aligns with previous research in this area. Both BID and EDs were significantly associated with MC-based mental health effects; this is likely due to the interconnected nature of mental health concerns, such as EDs with depression and anxiety.

Nutritional perspectives in female soccer: a scoping review.

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the literature exploring nutritional habits and practices in female soccer players. The PRISMA-ScR Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews were followed. Searches of Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases were conducted for studies exploring the nutritional habits and practices of female soccer players. A total of 72 studies were included in the scoping review. Studies on female soccer players mainly focused on daily energy expenditure, daily energy and macronutrient intake and hydration status. A negative energy balance was consistent across studies, and the ingestion of CHO appears below the current recommendations. Female soccer players are predominately in negative energy balance, which may indicate that they are at risk of low energy availability. A high use of nutritional supplements is apparent in female soccer, whilst a large proportion of players commence training dehydrated. The current findings have implications for practitioners relating to the planning, management, monitoring, and implementation of nutritional intake and training and competition schedules.

Swarm electrification for Raqaypampa: Impact of different battery control setpoints on energy sharing in interconnected solar homes systems

In rural electrification, decentralized systems have proven to bring fast, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply for the last mile of energy access. Especially, solar home systems (SHS) have lately increased in number and impact. Recently, a new concept promises even better utilization of SHS and the potential for higher access to electricity. This concept is found under the name of swarm electrification, also known as interconnected SHS, nanogrids, or decentralized DC systems in rural areas. This paper studies the benefits of such interconnected SHS for a case study in the indigenous rural Highlands of Bolivia, an area called Raqaypampa. Our study emphasizes analyzing the energy sharing setpoints for the decentralized battery control and how the choice of these values influences energy distribution in the community. We draw concepts of energy justice into our discussion to evaluate different combinations of battery state of charge setpoints. Our study finds four types of households in Raqaypampa based on their demand for electricity. The modeled and simulated results of a potential energy sharing through interconnected SHS reveal three outcomes for the households based on the battery state of charge setpoints: Outcome I - Improving households, Outcome II - Depending households, and Outcome III - Deteriorating households. We conclude that a common approach of e.g. minimization of total unmet demand alone will not necessarily lead to just energy distribution, and it is crucial to integrate discussions about justice and community goals into the design process from the beginning.

Optimal planning for hybrid renewable energy systems under limited information based on uncertainty quantification

Developing hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) is crucial for ensuring affordable, sustainable, and reliable energy access in remote rural and island regions. Rich and detailed data play a pivotal role in the optimal design of HRES. However, remote areas often face data limitations due to inadequate metering infrastructure, which further increases uncertainties in HRES design. This paper proposes a planning optimization method that quantifies multiple uncertainties, requiring only limited information for the optimal HRES design. First, uncertainties in HRES planning are classified into different types based on intrinsic randomness, data availability, and impact level. Then, by integrating uncertainty quantification with credibility theory, knowledge-based scenario generation models are developed to leverage limited available information to generate extreme and typical operating conditions for a tailored HRES design. Finally, a fuzzy credibility-constrained stochastic-robust optimization model is proposed to optimize the design of HRES. A practical case facing significant data scarcity and gaps is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed approach reduces the loss of load probability for HRES to 0.02% and lowers the levelized cost of energy to $0.16/kWh—33% lower than that of the deterministic method and 79% lower than that of the traditional stochastic method.

The role of agriculture for achieving renewable energy-centered sustainable development objectives in rural Africa

Multi-dimensional and overlapping barriers to wellbeing severely affect many areas in rural sub-Saharan Africa. In the region, more than 90% of cropland is rainfed, less than one third of households have electricity, almost 60% of the population reports food insecurity, and more than 35% of the population lives below the international poverty line. Climate change impacts on vulnerable systems with limited adaptive capacity and strong population growth are increasing the magnitude of these challenges, slowing and potentially reversing development. Thus, there is a strong need for multi-sector interventions across multiple levels, from national policies, to regional and river catchment-scale planning, to local planning and investment. To implement such actions, it is key not only to assess technological solutions and their investment needs, but also to appraise their feasibility and implementation potential (from both a policy and a financial point of view). Here, we implement a modelling platform (RE4AFAGRI platform), which soft-links bottom-up process-based water and energy demand and techno-economic infrastructure assessment models (WaterCROP, M-LED, OnSSET) into a multi-node, national Nexus-extended Integrated Assessment Model (MESSAGEix-Nexus) for supply and investment assessment. The results of our analysis shed light on the role of water and energy demand in the agricultural sector for jointly affecting infrastructure and investment requirements for achieving rural sustainable development objectives. We find that scenarios with increased ambition in expanding irrigation and agricultural productivity result in improved diffusion and economic feasibility of infrastructure to provide universal energy access while supporting productive uses of energy. Moreover, we conduct business model analysis to appraise the framework conditions and micro and macro determinants that can ensure feasibility of investment and uptake of small-scale infrastructure, crucial for rural development. Altogether, our research demonstrates how integrated modelling with an explicit focus on Nexus interlinkages can represent the enabling role and the business conditions for renewable energy input in agriculture to become a leverage of rural sustainable development. In turn, important policy and investment-relevant insights can be derived.

Examination of Energy Needs and Low Energy Availability Among Historically Black College and University Female Student-Athletes

Low energy availability (LEA) is common among female student-athletes and contributes to reduced bone mineral density and hormonal dysfunction. However, limited research exists on student-athletes of color, making it difficult to generalize results across populations, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) student-athletes. Objectives: This study examined the energy needs and LEA prevalence, with or without eating disorder (ED) risk, among HBCU female student-athletes. Methods: Twenty-seven female student-athletes (age = 19 ± 1 year; height = 166.9 ± 7.6 cm; weight = 68.8 ± 11.3 kg) completed baseline measures, including the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3), EDI-3 symptom checklist (EDI-SC), anthropometric measures, and resting metabolic rate (RMR). Participants maintained a dietary log to measure energy intake and wore a heart rate monitor to estimate exercise energy expenditures for 7 days. LEA was defined as <30 kcal/kg of fat-free mass (FFM)/day. Results: The mean energy availability (15.9 ± 10.1 kcal/kg FFM/day) indicated 92.6% of participants (n = 25) displayed LEA; of those, 60% (n = 15) had LEA with ED risk. ED risk was identified in 59.3% of student-athletes (n = 13; EDI-3: n = 2; SC: n = 3; Both: n = 11). Interestingly, of the two student-athletes without LEA, one was identified at risk for EDs using both the EDI-3 and SC. Conclusions: HBCU female student-athletes face high risks of LEA and EDs, with most showing signs of both. This underscores the need for culturally sensitive interventions to improve EA and support mental health in this underserved group. Clinicians should focus on nutrition education and early ED identification to enhance long-term health and athletic performance.

Flexible and adjustable resource backup capacity planning method for port areas with a high percentage of new energy access

In view of the problem of insufficient flexibility in grid regulation caused by the large-scale integration of new energy sources, this paper proposes an interactive regulation method for flexible resources to participate in wind and solar energy consumption and establishes a two-layer optimization model of planning and operation. The planning layer considers the planned capacity of flexible adjustable resources, and the operation layer comprehensively considers economic costs. Flexible resources are coordinated and regulated to achieve multi-objective optimization using a hybrid swarm migration algorithm based on indicators such as the operating costs of each standby unit and the cost of standby resources. The optimization results are then fed back to the planning layer to obtain the optimal regulation scheme. Meanwhile, this paper expands the source of backup resources to include the source-load-storage. It proposes a strategy for coordinating the participation of diversified resources from the source-load-storage in the backup capacity planning. Finally, a simulation analysis is carried out based on the actual power grid of a port. The results show that the reasonable allocation of diversified flexible resources can improve the economy of the power grid, the wind and solar energy consumption capacity, the flexibility of regulation, and the reliable operation capacity, which verifies the rationality and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Operating Costs in the Polish Energy Sector: Challenges for Capital Groups

Electricity is one of the most widely used energy sources. The climate crisis, public pressure to invest in renewable and low-carbon energy sources, and the reduction in industrial electricity consumption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have a significant impact on the energy sector. In addition, military action in Europe is affecting energy generation capacity and availability, which raises the question of economic calculus, particularly regarding the cost of generation and supply. These factors affect the cost structure of those responsible for supplying energy and, in extreme cases, can lead to energy exclusion. The article aimed to identify differences in the presentation and interpretation of operating cost data from the individual and consolidated financial statements of Polish energy groups, which is of key importance for investors, analysts and decision-makers in the energy sector. The analysis uses data for 2018–2022 from the income statement. The research hypothesis is that the complexity of Polish energy groups in the Polish energy sector leads to ambiguity in the interpretation of cost data included in stand-alone and consolidated financial statements.

Integrating 4IR technologies in microgrid development: Implications for sustainable economic growth in rural areas of Nigeria

Integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in microgrid development offers significant potential to drive sustainable economic growth in rural areas of Nigeria. This paper explores how advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of microgrids, which are critical for providing reliable electricity in underserved regions. The integration of 4IR technologies can optimize energy generation and distribution, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and decentralized energy management. These innovations not only improve the operational efficiency of microgrids but also facilitate the creation of new economic opportunities by powering local industries, supporting agricultural productivity, and enabling digital services in rural areas. Furthermore, the deployment of 4IR-enhanced microgrids can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of energy systems in rural communities by promoting the use of renewable energy sources. This contributes to Nigeria's broader sustainability goals and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change. The study also examines the socio-economic impacts of microgrid development, including job creation, improved quality of life, and the empowerment of local communities through increased access to electricity. The findings suggest that integrating 4IR technologies in microgrid development can play a pivotal role in addressing energy poverty, fostering economic resilience, and promoting inclusive growth in rural Nigeria. This research underscores the need for supportive policies, investment in technological infrastructure, and capacity-building initiatives to fully realize the potential of 4IR technologies in transforming rural energy systems. The implications for sustainable economic growth are profound, offering a pathway for rural areas to leapfrog into a more prosperous and sustainable future.